Budget buster. New appliances

[OklahomaTourist]

I talked with an engineer in his 80s. He said years back you could get a fridge that lasted years. He said the reason was the compressors spun at a low speed. Then they went to high speed compressors which reduced the lifetime.

My mom's Sears refrigerator that she bought in 1962, TWO YEARS before I was born, is still going strong. That's a half-century, folks. If people get five years out of a product these days they feel like they've beaten the system!

 

[OklahomaTourist]

.... but when I run the numbers it's a better deal. Our plan for 4 appliances is around $200 a year.

Out of curiosity, what numbers did you run?

Service plans are a tremendous source of profit for most retailers, hence their heavy push on them. Curious how you worked out that it was more profitable for you to have one rather than not.

 

[smokeyblue]

Eeek after reading all these posts and reviews on-line I think I'm going to stick with my ugly old appliances! I want to get new ones purely for cosmetic reasons. My range is a GE flat top in bisque color which doesnt match my kitchen at all. The previous owner "abused" it and I had to spend hours cleaning it. My fridge is a white Kalvinator, which I'm told they stopped making for home use in the 80's. It too works fine, just needs a new gasket.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) We have a basic plan.
2) We buy the basic models.
3) The cheapest model of frig, stove, microwave, etc.
4) They seem to last just as long as anyone else.
5) after all, many of the same components are standard for all models.
6) Saves us bunches of bucks, as no guilt if they die prematurely.
7) Which, so far, they have not.

NOTE: One thing being in industry all my life had taught me, there
are few unique things between different models or manufacturers.
In fact, many of the components are made by competitors. This way,
one manufacturer doesn't have to invent and test all of their parts.

 

[Junebugwv]

We have had a repairman in to fix our refrigerator (KitchenAid), dishwasher and cook top (JennAir gas) and he is so knowledgeable that I asked if I could get his advice when we need new applaiances. He has been very helpful.